Mulbarton Wanderers have expressed their deep disappointment after being ordered to replay their FA Cup qualifying match against Woodford Town due to an officiating mistake.
Mulbarton secured a 2-1 victory away to Essex Senior League club Woodford in Saturday’s second qualifying round. However, the hosts later submitted a formal complaint to the Football Association concerning an incident in the 30th minute.
Woodford converted a penalty, but the referee ruled out the goal because several of their players had entered the area too early. Mulbarton were then given an indirect free-kick.
Under Law 14 of the game’s regulations, external, the correct decision would have been to make Woodford take the penalty again.
The FA first indicated that a complaint based on an incorrect application of the rules could not be accepted.
An FA sub-committee subsequently examined the case, determined that the referee had made a technical mistake and instructed the clubs to play the fixture again.
Mulbarton will host the rearranged match on Tuesday, 29 September, and a winner must be decided that evening.
Mulbarton, members of the Isthmian League North, stated that the ruling is conclusive, legally binding and cannot be appealed.
The Norfolk club, which competes in the eighth tier, said it was extremely unhappy with the outcome, its effect on the team and the broader questions it could raise about the certainty of future FA Cup results and the overall integrity of the sport.
Ninth-tier Woodford, based in Redbridge, thanked the FA for carefully reviewing the case and said the ruling would allow the tie to be settled in line with FA Cup regulations.
The victorious team will welcome Southern League Premier Division South club Gloucester City in the third qualifying round on Saturday, 3 October.
Gloucester, a seventh-tier club, had originally expected to travel to Mulbarton. They acknowledged the annoyance and disappointment caused to fans, especially those who had already arranged plans for the scheduled game.
The club also thanked its supporters for remaining patient and understanding while the issue was being settled.
A non-league match in 2006 is believed to have been the first English football fixture required to be played again, external following a mistake by the referee. That incident also involved a converted penalty that should have been retaken.
An FA Vase match was similarly replayed during the previous season after an official made an error in a penalty shootout.
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